We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

“My name is Mary Katherine Blackwood. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my sister Constance. …. Everyone else in my family is dead.” At one time there were seven Blackwoods, we learn during the course of the book that the others were poisoned. Constance was arrested for the crime then acquitted. Now Constance, Mary Katherine (called Merricat) and their Uncle Julian, whose health was ruined by the poison, are the only ones that survived and are now living in Blackwood house. Merricat does her best to protect Constance from the venom of the villagers, her protection falls short when a cousin comes to visit.

I first read this book when I was a young girl, I remember it was my sister’s book and she told me the “spoilers” before I even had a chance to read it. What makes this book enjoyable however is not the mystery of who did the poisoning, which is rather easy to figure out, but the telling of the relationship between Merricat and Constance, their treatment by the villagers, Merricat’s thoughts regarding the villager’s and her ability to see danger where Constance doesn’t and eventually drive out the danger makes this book worth reading.

About Belleza

I got the name Bella because my grandfather called me Suzabell. I use that as a username and my friends on the site started calling me Bella. Thus was born: Bella Foxx's Life, now known as "just a city girl" since I have made the big jump from the country and am now living in the City, UES.
I like to make jewelry (check out my blog "Bella is creative" started April 17, 2008) and write. I like to do cross stitch and knit. I sew, I don't really enjoy it, but I enjoy the clothes.
I like to read the Bible, books, magazines, online newspaper articles, blogs, jokes on candy wrappers, ads on the subway, billboards, backs of food boxes, lists of ingredients and recipes, cleaning directions, sayings on shirts. I post my reviews on "Just a girl, living, reading, watching, and writing", on Shelfari, Library Thing and Goodreads..
I am allergic to practically everything: grass, trees, weeds, animal dander, dust, mold, wheat, apples, nuts, fish and coconut. The fish and coconut are so serious I carry an Epi-pen and wear a Medic-Alert bracelet.
And last but not least. I love the Yankees.

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Belleza

I look good in black and white.

I am reading the Bible, books, magazines, online newspaper articles, blogs, jokes on candy wrappers, ads on the subway, billboards, backs of food boxes, lists of ingredients and recipes, cleaning directions, sayings on shirts, then I write and write. When I'm not reading, I'm experiencing life, trying out new restaurants and getting massages. I write about those places here, take a look, you might find something you like.